US blocked sale of fighter helicopters due to “concerns” about Nigerian military’s ability to use them – Gbooza

In the past six months since the Islamic militants snatched more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Washington has shared intelligence with the Nigerian army, begun training a new battalion and held high-level talks on the threat of Boko Haram, a US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki was reported by AFP as stating.

She also said the US had provided and approved sales of military equipment to Nigerian armed forces.

“These decisions are made, of course, after careful scrutiny to ensure they conform with United States law,” she said.
But she acknowledged the US had refused to transfer some Cobra helicopters due to concerns about the Nigerian army’s ability to use them.

There were also “ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations,” Psaki said, adding that these had been discussed with the Nigerian authorities.